CHURCH HISTORYST. MARK’S FOURTH BAPTIST CHURCH
Baptist First came to New Orleans in the early part of the nineteenth Century. The city was an interesting quaint mixture of the old work and the new, both French and Spanish with a pervading Roman Catholicism. The population was slaves and whites as well as a significant number of free Negroes. Some researchers suggest that Baptists groups were meeting at various sites as early as 1816. Their organizational and meeting difficulty arose because of the persuasive opposition by Roman Catholic community. The First Baptist congregations were a mixture of Negro slaves, white and the people of color. The mixture was not uncommon, though highly segregated. The tone of the country indicated a growing anti-slavery sentiment in the north and equality intense pro-slavery sentiment among southerners. Despite the persistence in the South to enact and enforce measures, social economic and political, to maintain a slavery system, these Baptists organized and held their initial worship services in mixed congregations., from which both Negro and White Baptist churches generated their roots. It would seem that the white rational was that religious worship and Baptists faith with its attending moral values, though various and assorted means of segregation, the white masters asserted authority and control even in the church. Research reveals that the First Baptist Church organized on December 28, 1843 in a rented upper room at No. 66 Julia Street. From this beginning, Seven Baptist churches were organized. However, the Old Baptist Church, now First African Baptist church claims it was organized as early as 1826. Among the seven churches was the Coliseum Place Baptist Church organized in 1854. In the congregation of this church was the kindly Shepherd Family who had come from Virginia with their slaves. Although the date of their arrival is unknown, it is presumed that they came into New Orleans several years before 1854. The Shepherd humane and general concern for their slaves caused them to recognize Robert Henry Steptoe, whose superior intellect, leadership qualities and religious fervor made him a standout among the other slaves. They educated him and made him a free man. Shortly after, Robert H. Steptoe was ordained as minister at the Coliseum Place Baptist Church. In 1854, the Rev. Steptoe organized a group of Christian followers into a church. A site was made available and given by his former master, the Shepherds. The St. Mark’s Street Fourth Baptist Church was established. During this period the church progressed effectively in a slave community despite the facts that the slave members were only permitted to attend services of the church by permits granted by their owners. As officers of the law attended the worship service to see that no disobedience against whites was taught. To have remained an effective organization in this unsettling atmosphere attest to the determination of Rev. Steptoe. In 1867, Rev. Steptoe along with Benjamin Hawkins, Peter Lewis, John Edwards, Ezekiel Steptoe, Jeremiah Higgins, James Barnes, Thomas Lacy, John Smith, Williams Gibson, and J. Michael, signed and witness the establishment of corporation for the purpose of diving worship known as the St. Mark’s Street Fourth Baptist Church of New Orleans which was domiciled on the site (now Magnolia Street in the First District of New Orleans). Without being overly presumptuous it is reasonable to believe that Magnolia was formerly St. Mark’s Street. The act was made Notary Public James Wood Breedlove on April 12, 1867. Seven of the signers, including Rev. Steptoe, were declared the trustee-elect of the church and authorized to manage the affairs of the corporation. After thirty years of effective administration, the Rev. Robert H. Steptoe died in 1884. An interval of two years passed after the death of Rev. Steptoe. For this period, the deacons were in charge and elected Rev. Henry Williams to administer the Lord’s Supper and baptize candidates. In 1886 Rev. Williams W. Davis began his pastorate of St. Mark’s Fourth Baptist Church as it second pastor. Rev. Davis joined the church under the pastorate of Rev. Steptoe and as a layman, worked in various department of the church preparing himself for Christian service. Rev. Davis, a native of Jamaica, was a tireless worker who found favor and love among the members of the congregation. The Church Council called for his ordination October 11, 1886. He was ordained November 20, 1886. The Rev. John Mark preached the Ordination Sermon. “Study to show Thyself Approved unto God”. The beginning of Rev. Davis’ administration was laden with a task that was extremely difficult in a community less than three decades out of slavery. And subject to the device that limited personal income and the possession of property. From information disclosed by Lawson Davis, a deacon, that the site of the domicile for the church was no longer the property of the congregation and must revert to the original owners. Rev. Davis had to organize ways and means of providing a site. The church having been put up for sale was bought by the church membership for $4000.00. By this act of courage, Rev. Davis became one of the few pastors, black and white, in this city whose congregation bought and paid for the church site in these times. Rev. Davis served with notable effectiveness for twelve years until his death at the age of 49 years on July 11, 1898. Following the death of Rev. Davis, another period of two years passed without a designated pastor. However, during the two – year interval, the church progressed under the advice and Spiritual Counsel of Brother John Butler, Senior Deacon, who appointed Rev. R. D. Diamond to conduct the spiritual affairs of the church. On May 16, 1900, the Rev. Jackson Acox was installed as third pastor of the church. Rev. Acox was born August 12, 1859 in Catahoula, Louisiana in Terrebonne Parish. He was converted in July, 1879 and baptized by Rev. Moses Henderson in September, 1879. In 1880, he came to New Orleans and joined St. Mark’s Fourth Baptist Church in 1884 where he served as Superintendent of the Sunday school and Deacon of the church. his commitment to church service culminated in his ordination and installation as church pastor. The Ordination Sermon was preached by S. T. Clanton. During the Rev. Acox’s administration, a new Act of Incorporation was passed in 1909. The new Act was necessary to replace the 1867 Act which at the end of the twenty-five years expired. The new Act was noted January 27, 1909 by Louis A. Moninet, Notary Public. The pastor and eight board members executed the Act of Incorporation to known by the name and title of St. Mark’s Fourth Baptist Church for a period of 99 years. The signers were Washington Gibson, John butler, Fred Diamond, Exodus Hones, William Bertrand, Cornelius E. Bass, William McPherson, Tim Robinson and Rev. Jackson V. Acox. Among the many attributes of Rev. Acox, he was best known as a pastor who could be reached by all who needed his aid. He died July 23, 1919. In 1921, the Rev. I. H. Perkins was elected to pastor the church. Soon after the election, the church site on Magnolia Street was purchased by the State via power of eminent domain to expand the Charity Hospital facilities. This began a period of physical discomfort and inconvenience. For a short period, the St. Mark’s Fourth Baptist Church congregation worshipped in the basement of the Central Congregation Church, located at Liberty and Gasquest Streets (Gasquest in now Cleveland Ave). Later a large tent was purchased and pitched in the neutral ground on South Claiborne Avenue between Lafayette and Poydras Streets; it was during the period of church worship in the tent that the true loyalty of the Membership was really tested. Frequently the tent was blown down by wind and rain, and had to be brought in and out to various places to secure from one service to the next. In 1923, the building Committee purchased three lots at the corner of South Galvez and Perdido Streets for $14,500.00. On this site the erection of the present edifice was begun at a cost of Sixty-three thousand dollars ($63,000.00). Worship service was held in a small house on the site. The congregation endured the inconvenience until the outer walls of the building were erected; then services were held in the incomplete lower portion without a roof. On many occasions the congregation sat beneath opened umbrellas during services. In 1925, the church was completed and progressed for a time under the pastorate of Rev. Perkins. Four years later, Rev. Perkins resigned. During the next two years the church affairs were conducted by a pulpit Committee consisted of Deacons and Trustees. This committee’s recommendation that Rev. Estavan be appointed to conduct the spiritual and financial affairs of the church was approved. Rev. Estavan presided until 1931. In 1931, J. E. Thornton was elected to the pastorate of the Church during the worst depression in the nation’s history. Despite these lean times the church progressed spiritually and financially under Rev. Thornton administration. The Rev. Thornton’s pastorate was short lived. He died February 20, 1935. Another two-year interval without a pastor followed the death of the Rev. Thornton. The church functioned under the leadership of a Pulpit Committee of Deacons and Trustees. The committee recommended Brother Edward C. Thomas, an energetic young man in the church, to conduct the spiritual affairs until 1937. Brother Thomas not only served the church during the two year interval but had served in many departments, among them in Sunday school, Baptist Training Union, and the Deacon Board. Because of his tried leadership, Brother Thomas was ordained and elected pastor of the church in 1937. The pastorate of E. C. Thomas was marked by beginning of a renewed commitment to clear all debts of the church. After a tour as pastor for seven years, the Rev. Thomas died July 12, 1944. During a period of little more than a year after the death of Rev. E. C. Thomas, the church was administered by Officers, Brother William Nickens as Chairman of the Deacons and Brother James E. Gayle as Chairman of the Trustees. In September, 1945, the seventh pastor, Rev. John F. Williams was called from Fairmont, West Virginia to pastor the St. Mark’s Fourth Baptist Church. Rev. Williams was a brilliant fund raiser and an eloquent preacher. He was a firm believer in tithing and established the concepts among the congregation setting himself as a very good example. On March 20, 1948 the church accepted his resignation. A period of three month passed under the leadership of the Deacons, and Trustees before the Rev. Edward J. Thompson, Sr. was elected pastor. Rev. E. J. Thompson, Sr. was elected to the church pastorate June 15, 1948. He joined the church on January 3, 1931 and was licensed as a preacher November 30, 1940. He was ordained July 29, 1943. Under Rev. Thompson administration the church prospered both Spiritually and financially. Renovations were made. Rev. Thompson served well for a quarter of a Century until his death January 6, 1973.
During a period of fourteen months the death of Rev. Thompson, Brother John Matthews, Sr., Chairman Of the Deacons and Brother Earl McWilliams of Trustees, were in charge of the church affairs. The Rev. Lee Roster, one of the faithful Church Ministers, administered the spiritual affairs of the Church. On March 6, 1974, Rev. Robert Turner, Sr., was elected pastor of the church. On March 27, 1974, Rev. Turner was installed as pastor of the St. Mark’s Fourth Baptist Church. Rev. Turner’s religious work began at the Spring Hill Baptist Church, Route 3, St. Joseph, LA. He was converted August 15, 1949 and baptized a week later in August 21, by Rev. T. H. Brown, pastor of Spring Hill Baptist Church. In October, 1955, Rev. Turner moved to New Orleans and placed his membership at Greater St. Matthews Baptist Church where he served as a member of the Usher Board, Deacon Board, Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday school, and Assistant Director of the Baptist training Union and Director of Christian Education. In 1960, he was called to the Gospel Ministry. Since his calling to the ministry, he has been awarded the following degrees: Bachelor of Theology, Master of Theology, and Doctor of Divinity from Union Baptist College and Theological Seminary, and the Bachelor of Social Work from Southern University of New Orleans. Under Rev. Turner’s Administration, the church has increased in membership, the physical plant has been renovated, church study courses are being offered to the membership, additional property near the site has been purchased for future growth of the church, and a new church van has been purchased, a new elevator installed, a new parking lot was purchased, a new garage was built, the church pews were cushioned, and renovations have been made to the parsonage. Since the 146th Anniversary, St. Mark’s Fourth Baptist Church has purchased three new properties: The parking lots and a building at 626 South Galvez Street, which has been completely renovated. A new choir loft with an elevated baptismal pool has been completed in the sanctuary of the church, and a new organ and outdoor neon church sign were purchased. August 29, 2005 was the beginning of a change in the history of Saint Mark’s Fourth Baptist Church. This happened when 80% of New Orleans was flooded and under water for many days. The flood was caused by the unforgettable Hurricane Katrina and the breaching of the levee, and of course, it included St. Mark’s Fourth Baptist Church. Our church and its surrounding building were heavily damaged. The Lord has blessed us with a pastor having a vision, faith, and a mind to work. As soon as the water was down, Pastor Turner started the clean-up and restoring process. Brother Leon Morgan was a great help in securing many things and assisting Pastor Turner in the restoration. We give him special thanks and may God bless him.
By the first Sunday in December, 2005, the church doors were opened; though not completely, restored, the Sanctuary was ready for service. Generators were used to supply light and heat in the building. In spite of many of the members having not yet returned, they continued to support the church through tithes and pledges. This, along with the insurance proceeds, enabled our church family, under the divine leadership of Rev. Turner, to begin renovations and restoration repairs to our edifice. Due to the devastation of hurricane Katrina and the relocation of our church family members, we were unable to have our Annual Church Anniversary in 2005, and thus we observe our 151st and 152nd Anniversary in 2006. It is evident that we have come this far by faith. God has truly been good to us, and we thank Him for His blessings. The vision continues as we celebrate our 167th Church Anniversary.